A DIPTEROUS ANT-LION. 



761 



The thorax is brown, edged with white down, and a large quan- 

 tity of similar down grows on its under surface. A patch of 



Ste^r**-- 



Fig. 504. — Asilus curiarius. 

 (Brown, black, and white.) 



The wings are 



grey-white hair occupies the front of the head, 

 pale brown. 



Of the family Leptidae 

 two examples will suffice. 

 These are also predacious 

 insects, and in one species, 

 Leptis vermileo, the larva 

 behaves very much like 

 that of the Ant Lion, dig- 

 ging conical holes in the -% 

 loose sand, remaining at the 

 bottom of them, and then 

 pouncing on the insects that 

 fall into them. Yet, vora- 

 cious as the creature is, it has been known to survive a 

 fast of six months. 



Fig. 505. — Anthrax seniculus. 

 (Chocolate and yellow.) 



total 



